Food Insecurity & Eating Disorders

At Eating and Behavioral Health Associates, we believe that consistent access to nourishing food is essential to both physical health and mental well-being. As rates of food insecurity rise, so too does the risk for disordered eating — a connection we can no longer ignore. Individuals and families are facing mounting stress, and for many, that includes the impossible choice between eating and other basic needs. This is not just a nutritional challenge — it’s a public mental health crisis. We are committed to being part of the solution, and we invite you to stand with us in supporting our community.

The Link Between Food Insecurity & Eating Disorders

Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food due to financial or other resource constraints. It affects over 10% of U.S. households, disproportionately impacting low-income families, students, the elderly, and marginalized communities.

Growing research demonstrates a strong and consistent correlation between food insecurity and a wide range of disordered eating behaviors, including binge eating, restrictive eating, body dissatisfaction, and loss‑of‑control eating.

Here are key findings:

  • Individuals experiencing food insecurity are significantly more likely to report binge eating and loss‑of‑control eating. Multiple studies — including a 2023 meta‑analysis — confirm this elevated risk (Abene et al., 2023; Becker et al., 2017).

  • Psychological stress created by food scarcity can trigger or worsen eating‑disorder pathology, with recent research identifying stress as a mediating factor between food insecurity and disordered eating (Simmet et al., 2021; “Role of Stress,” 2023).

  • Children and adolescents in food‑insecure households show higher rates of unhealthy weight‑control behaviors, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating symptoms (Bruening et al., 2019; Hooper et al., 2022; Nagata et al., 2023).

  • Food insecurity predicts new onset of disordered eating behaviors over time. Recent longitudinal research shows increased prevalence and incidence of disordered eating 12–18 months later, confirming that this is not simply a short‑term effect (Hazzard et al., 2023).

  • The “feast‑or‑famine” cycle — where individuals restrict intake due to lack of food, then overeat when food becomes available — reinforces the same biological and psychological patterns seen in several eating disorders (Loth et al., 2025).

Taken together, this research underscores why addressing food insecurity is essential for preventing and treating eating disorders.

Our Response as a Practice

Our practice is committed to supporting community members impacted by food insecurity. We’re taking tangible steps to fight food insecurity in our community because it directly supports mental health and eating disorder prevention. Here’s what we’re doing:

  • Staff Engagement: Our staff is donating time and funds to local food pantries.

  • Company Match: We will match all staff donations to maximize our impact.

  • Clinical Support: Our clinicians are trained to screen for food insecurity and connect clients with both therapeutic support and local resources.

  • Resource Sharing: We actively provide referrals to food access programs and support for those who’ve lost SNAP benefits.

  • Inclusive Treatment:  We offer trauma‑informed eating‑disorder treatment that accounts for the lived realities of food scarcity

We believe healing is impossible without adequate access to food — and we are dedicated to making that access more possible for our clients and neighbors.

Resources for Food Insecurity

If you or someone you know has recently lost SNAP benefits or is struggling to access food, please use the following resources:

Columbus SNAP Response Plan

Offers food, housing, and utility support for residents impacted by federal benefits cuts.

Visit their website »

Local Food Pantries

List of Columbus Pantries

List of Cincinnati Pantries

List of Cincinnati Pantries & Soup Kitchens

Mid Ohio Food Collective Locations

FreshTrak Pantry Finder

Full Pantry Finder

Therapeutic Support

If you’re experiencing food stress or signs of disordered eating, reach out for a consultation or therapy appointment.

Contact us »

How You Can Help

If you are in a position to support others in our community, here’s how you can make a meaningful impact:

  • Donate to local food banks: Financial contributions are the most flexible, but any physical donation helps as well – check the website of the pantry to find out what they are most in need
  • Volunteer your time: Sort, serve, or deliver food at local pantries.
  • Spread awareness: Tell others about the connection between food insecurity and eating disorders.

  • Advocate: Reach out to your representatives to advocate for policies that support food access and mental health

Even small acts of generosity create meaningful protection for community members at risk.

Below are a few local pantries close to our offices accepting online donations:

Research Citations

Abene, J. A., Tong, J., Minuk, J., Lindenfeldar, G., Chen, Y., & Chao, A. M. (2023). Food insecurity and binge eating: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(4), 607–625. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23956

Becker, C. B., Middlemass, K., Taylor, B., Johnson, C., & Gomez, F. (2017). Food insecurity and eating disorder pathology. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(9), 1031–1040. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22735

Bruening, M., MacLehose, R., Loth, K., Story, M., & Neumark‑Sztainer, D. (2019). Feeding a family in a recession: Food insecurity among Minnesota parents. American Journal of Public Health, 102(3), 520–526. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300390

Hazzard, V. M., Loth, K. A., Fertig, A. R., Trofholz, A. C., de Brito, J. N., Doering, A. C., & Berge, J. M. (2023). Household food insecurity is associated with greater prevalence and 18‑month incidence of a range of disordered eating behaviors in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of parents. Eating Behaviors, 49, 101728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101728

Hooper, L., et al. (2022). Experiencing household food insecurity during adolescence: Longitudinal associations with disordered eating and elevated BMI in young adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health, 71(2), 260–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.04.004

Loth, K. A., et al. (2025). Food insecurity and disordered eating: Associations among young populations. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22, 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01349-x

Nagata, J. M., et al. (2023). Food insecurity and binge‑eating disorder in early adolescence: A national cohort study of 9‑ to 14‑year‑olds. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(3), 453–462. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23944

The Role of Stress in the Association among Food Insecurity, Eating‑Disorder Pathology, and Binge‑Eating‑Related Appetitive Traits. (2023). Appetite, 174, 106077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2022.106077

Simmet, A., Depa, J., Tinnemann, P., & Stroebele‑Benschop, N. (2021). The association between food insecurity and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in adolescents: A cross‑sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 495. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020495